Short Summary

On of the many important dates on the Vatican calendar in February 2nd - the day dedicated to the "Purification of the Virgin Mary".

Description

1.
LV. SHOT OF CLOCK ON BUILDING IN VATICAN CITY.

2.
Angles. FIGURES ON BUILDING.

3.
LV. CLERGY CARRYING CANDLES.

4.
SV. DITTO.

5.
SV. CLERGY HOLDING CANDLES.

6.
LV. TOWARDS CLERGY HOLDING CANDLES.

7.
SV. MEN WITH STOCK OF VARIOUS CANDLES.

8.
SV. PILE OF CANDLES.

9.
CU. DITTO.

10.
SV. THREE CLERGY HOLDING CANDLES.

11.
SCU. DITTO

12.
LV. POPE SEATED BLESSING CANDLES.

13.
Side V. PRIESTS LINED UP pan OVER TO POPE.

14.
SV. POPE BLESSING CANDLES.

15.
LV. DITTO.

16.
GV. DITTO.

17.
LV. LITTLE BOY KISSES POPE'S HAND. MAN DOES LIKEWISE.

18.
GV. LINED NUMBER OF CLERGY WITH CANDLES IN CONGREGATION.

19.
LV. POPE GIVES BLESSING.

Initials JH/VCW

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Background: On of the many important dates on the Vatican calendar in February 2nd - the day dedicated to the "Purification of the Virgin Mary".

This festival was first instituted by Pope Gelasio 1 in 492 and this year the annual ceremony took place in the Hall of the Concistere - the hall in which the Cardinals gather when it is necessary to elect a new Pope.

During the ceremony a number of magnificent candles - each decorated with armorial bearings and exquisite miniatures - are presented to the Pope by representatives by a number of different religious orders.

The representatives go up to the Pope, offer their candles, kiss the Holy Father's hand and then retire to the side.

The candles, which are then blessed by the Pope, are distributed to various churches and private citizens who have asked to the given one of the candles.

The private requests are usually made by people who like to keep the candles and light them whenever they are in dire need of heavenly help.